8. INCOME TAX (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current:
Accrued vacation	$ 26	$ 39
Reclamation provision	52	57
Total Deferred tax assets current	78	96
Non-Current:
Net operating loss carryforwards, US	14,784	11,053
Mineral properties	13,017	14,244
Reclamation provision	70	69
Equipment	131	115
Share based compensation	3,362	4,020
Research and development	2,358	1,882
Total Deferred tax assets non-current	36,369	33,936
Deferred tax assets	36,447	34,032
Valuation allowance	(36,447)	(34,032)
Net	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities Non-Current:
Other	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)	0	0
Canada
Non-Current:
Noncapital loss carryforwards, Canada	2,640	2,546
Capital loss, carryforwards, Canada	7	7
US
Non-Current:
Net operating loss carryforwards, US	$ 14,784	$ 11,053